ICC World Cup Match No 36
Pakistan Vs Afghanistan Played at Leeds on 29 June
Brief Scorecard: Pakistan 230/7 in 49.4 overs (Imad Wasim 49*, Babar Azam 45, Imam Ul Haq 36, Harris Sohail 27, Mohammad Hafiz 19, Mujeeb Ur Rahman 2/39, Mohammad Nabi 2/23) beat Afghanistan 227/9 (Asghar Afghan 42, Nazibullah Zadran 42, Rahmat Shah 35, Ekram Alikhil 24, Shaheen Shah Afridi 4/47, Wahab Riaz 2/21, Imad Wasim 2/46) by 3 wickets
Player of the Match: Imad Wasim
DHAKA: Pakistan’s iffy win by 3 wickets against Afghanistan in a close match with 2 balls to spare raised few questions. The team chemistry, the body language of Afghan captain at crucial stage and his poor management of bowling resources created doubts whether he deliberately let Pakistan off the hook. Otherwise it was a good match where Afghan batsmen confronted the quality Pakistan attack to the best of their ability. Afghan spinners controlled the best part of the match. Afghan captain will definitely rue his decision of bowling himself instead of letting some other tight bowlers bowling the last over. The decision of playing unfit Hamid Hasan can also be questioned.
Afghanistan batting first managed to score 227/9 on a slow turning wicket at mid way appeared good enough for defending considering the quality of Afghan spinners and Pakistan’s weakness against quality spin. Afghan bowlers Mujeeb and Nabi bowled the team to a position of winning. Even Sinwari bowled 8 tight overs. At the 47 th over when Shhadab got out Pakistan still required 22 for winning. Gulbadin could let Sinwari bowl the last over to squeeze Wahab Riaz and Imad Wasim. Instead surprising everyone he bowled and leaked runs.
Pakistan huffing and puffing all the way had a great escape winning the match by 3 wickets. With this win Pakistan brightened its chance for qualifying for the semifinal. With 9 points from 8 matches Pakistan now is in 4th position above England. They will play their last match against Bangladesh, which may turn out the most important match of the tournament. Bangladesh now at 6th position with 7 points from 7 matches has matches against India and Pakistan.
We thought Afghanistan batsmen batted reasonably well against high quality pace attack of Pakistan. Shaheen Shah Afridi matched well his world class mates Amir and Wahab Riaz in pace and movement. Still Asghar Afghan (42), Nazibullah Zadran (42) Rahmat Shah (36) looked capable of handling th attack well though they could not convert their innings to substantially big. Yet 227/9 did not appear too small a total given that wicket had a lot for quality bowling. Shaheen pegged Afghans with his 4/47. Coming to bowl he struck double blow in his very first over. This youngster is growing with the passage of time and appearing to be a great prospect for his team. Wahab Riaz (2/29) and Imad Wasim (2/46) also did their job well.
In a very important match for Pakistan all they required was disciplined batting. We are unsure about suspicion whether this match was negotiated or not. But young mystery bowler Mujeeb was in his element. He trapped Fakhar Zaman with the very second ball and bowled his spell very tightly. Imam (36) and Babar Azam (45) played their aggressive way. But when talented off spinner Nabi got rid of both before they could run riot an air of upset in the air.
Afghanistan for reasons best known to them included half fit Hamid Hasan who limped out after bowling few overs. Daulat Zadran was a far better choice. Wickets kept tumbling as Mujeeb, Nabi, Rashid and Sinwari strangled Pakistan. At 6/158 in 39th over when Sarfaraz was run out Afghans win appeared a likely conclusion. But few chances of run out went a begging. Captain Gulbadin Naib did not go for the kill. Imad Wasim and Wahab Riaz exploiting the situation took Pakistan across in the tight finish. Imad remained unbeaten on 49 and Wahab had a cameo of 15 in 9 balls smoking a four and a six.
This match will be debated a long time. Afghans could leave the scene as heroes if they could apply their full might. The killer instinct was missing. Can only feel pity for my great Afghan friends. Without taking away any credit from Pakistan I must say ICC should investigate into the match.
BDST: 0948 HRS, JUN 30, 2019
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